It was her decision to take up the university place, her choice. She knew that Covid would likely cause a second lockdown: classes would be online, campus closed, precious few fresher’s events would run. She acknowledged that student life would be different but wasn’t daunted. My daughter had found what she wanted and grabbed it. She was ready to begin a new adventure, a life of...

Added 23 Oct 2020 | Category Musings | Votes 13 | Avg Score 5 | Views 319 | 14 Comments

“Ah, yes,” she says, taping the old photograph, “that’s my father’s shop. The awning was green and, look, you can see Bevan’s Greengrocery painted on the window. Those boxes outside were heavy but I used to stack them and arrange the display.” “When you were a child?” “I wasn’t afraid of hard work,” she says proudly.  “And do you remember the shops either side?” “I remember the...

Added 19 Oct 2020 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 11 | Avg Score 5 | Views 293 | 11 Comments

Lydia placed a meagre collection of coins into the taxi driver’s outstretched hand. “I’m a bit short,” she said. “I’m terribly sorry.” He sighed but closed his hand around the money without counting it. “Thank you,” she said quietly and fumbled with the door handle, eager to escape before he changed his mind. Outside was freezing. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, a bitter...

Added 14 Oct 2020 | Category Horror | Votes 8 | Avg Score 5 | Views 436 | 8 Comments

  Monochrome snapshot  printed on canvas and lovingly framed.  Frozen blink in time  portraying the warmest memory of newly blossomed passion,  desires that ran free.  A perfectly captured moment  of heart-fluttering joy when we were just twenty  and deeply in love....

Added 12 Oct 2020 | Category Poetry | Votes 11 | Avg Score 5 | Views 480 | 9 Comments

I always loved this place: cherry trees flanking the wildflower meadow, sunlight glistening off the lake beyond. I hurry towards our bench and, spotting it, gasp. He waited… Running, I throw my arms around him. He’s soft, warm; his scent conjures memories, forgotten emotions. “I’ve missed you so much.” “And I, you.” He holds me close then eases me away. “You shouldn’t be here yet. Go,...

Added 29 Aug 2020 | Category Micro Fiction | Votes 12 | Avg Score 5 | Views 625 | 12 Comments

The very idea of flying terrifies her. Now, I’m not good at physics, but to her, the concept of a huge metal monster soaring gracefully through the air is utterly baffling. It shouldn’t happen. Can’t happen. She’s aware, of course, that statistically speaking, flying is the safest form of transport. She knows she’s more likely to win the lottery than die in a plane disaster, more likely to...

Added 25 Jul 2020 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 20 | Avg Score 5 | Views 904 | 21 Comments

Hand hovering over the door handle, Lucy pauses. The smell of burned plastic makes her gag and she winces as she imagines the scene beyond. The fire has destroyed her once-pristine dining room, although she acknowledges, it had been unusable for a while. Six months to be exact. Ever since Tim moved his collection in. “Only temporary,” he’d said when she protested. “Just while I sort them out.” ...

Added 13 Mar 2020 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 8 | Avg Score 5 | Views 412 | 9 Comments

Cigarette smoke. No doubt about it. What idiot was smoking in the cinema? I take the steps two at a time determined to find the culprit before the smoke alarms go off. Bursting through the door, I intend to head for the toilets – the usual hiding place – but there’s no need: a tall blonde is leaning against the wall by the balcony doors, cigarette dangling from scarlet lips. Startled, she...

Added 09 Mar 2020 | Category Science Fiction | Votes 7 | Avg Score 5 | Views 412 | 8 Comments

She stared at her reflection: silver-streaked hair, laughter lines, dark circles beneath her eyes. She looked middle-aged. Was middle-aged. Where were the white hair and deep creases of later years she’d expected to see as her end neared? Too soon … way too soon . Thoughts of a missed future – of laughing grandchildren, long summer days pottering outside, retirement holidays in...

Added 11 Jan 2020 | Category Micro Fiction | Votes 12 | Avg Score 5 | Views 522 | 13 Comments

Left, right, left, right… keep going, keep breathing. Her chest burned, rasping breaths tearing her parched throat. Still, she battled on. Left, right, left, right… Pumping dance music pounded her ears but she’d long since abandoned keeping time to the beat. Now, it was merely a distraction, a way to drown out slap of feet on the tarmac and the racing thump of her bursting heart. “Must...

Added 09 Sep 2019 | Category Drama | Votes 11 | Avg Score 5 | Views 772 | 12 Comments

Ever wondered what the world would be like if you could travel to a different point in time? What could you fix? Where would you go? When would you go?Lose a few hours as you explore limitless time.If You Survive the Trip by A.J. CuleySecond Chances by Alannah K. PearsonThe Colour Adjacent by...

Paranormal stories for LOCKDOWN.Hunting Shadows by Alannah K. PearsonThe Beckoning by Frederick PangbourneNot at Rest by Galina TrefilOeo by Hari NavarroRemembrance by Helen MerrickCircles Out of Salt by J. AgombarHe Wasn't There by Joel R. HuntA Harvester Calls by Johann van der WaltHer Watchers...